Nico Collins and C.J. Stroud are opposites.
Collins left Michigan after the 2020 season while Stroud was Ohio State’s starting quarterback the past two seasons.
The former Wolverine is sure to remind his Buckeye signal caller who has been on top in the Big Ten rivalry since 2021.
“Go Blue — tell him, ‘Go Blue,'” Collins told reporters after organized team activities on June 6.
Stroud was Ohio State’s quarterback the past two seasons. Michigan got the better of the Buckeyes 42-27 at Ann Arbor in 2021 and then 45-23 at Columbus in 2022. Michigan leads the overall series 60-51-6.
The rookie quarterback has stats he can throw Collins’ way, such as Ohio State winning eight in a row from 2012-19, and that Collins never got to experience beating his school’s arch rival.
However, their college days are behind them. Collins is entering his third NFL season and also his third new offensive scheme. The key is to build rapport with Stroud, not remind him of old boundaries.
“C.J. man, the sky’s the limit for him,” Collins said. “He’s a great quarterback, and I’m glad he’s a part of this team. And we’re all coming out every day to work, get better.”
The Texans hired former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans as their sixth full-time coach in team history. As such, Ryans took from Kyle Shanahan’s cupboard for an offensive coordinator in Bobby Slowik, who was the 49ers’ passing game coordinator in 2022.
“We learned a new offense,” said Collins. “As a team, as a unit, new coaching staff, new energy, new juice. So, we’re coming every day, and when we step between the lines, it’s time to work.”
Collins caught 37 passes for 481 yards and two touchdowns through 10 games last season, seven of which he started. The 6-4, 215-pound wideout improved his stats in every category compared to his 14-game rookie season.
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